St. Cloud State University
General Education Goal Area 3
Natural & Physical Sciences
Academic Affairs Use Only:
Response Date:
Effective Date:
1.
Proposal Number:
Prepared by: Christopher Kvaal
Phone: 308-4138
Email: cakvaal@stcloudstate.edu
2.
Requesting Unit: College of Science and Engineering, Biological Sciences
3.
Department, Course Number, Title: Biol Sci, BIOL104, Human Genetics and Birth Defects
4.
New Course
5.
Will this course be flagged as a diversity course?
Already Designated as Diversity
6.
Will this course also satisfy another General Education Goal Area?
If “Yes” specify which goal area.
7.
Course bulletin description, including credits and semesters to be offered:
Existing Course
No
Diversity Proposal Accompanying This Form
No
Yes
BIOL 104. Human Genetics and Birth Defects
Biological aspects of human disorders. Heredity, immunity, infection, aging, stress, life styles,
and chemical agents. General education credit may be received for only one topic. 3 Cr. F, S,
Sum
8.
Indicate the clientele for whom this course is designed. Is the course for general education only, or
does it fulfill general education and other program needs for this or another department? Obtain
signatures from any affected departments.
General Education
9.
Indicate any changes that must be made in offerings or resources in your department or other
departments by offering this course.
None
10.
For new courses or courses not yet approved for General Education, indicate any other SCSU departments
or units offering instruction that relates to the content of the proposed course.
12/11/2009
11.
Courses designated as General Education are included in the assessment plan for the Goal Area(s)
for which they are approved. Courses for which assessment is not included in the annual GE
assessment report for two years will be removed from the General Education Program.
The Requesting Unit understands and recognizes the above conditions.
13.
Provide a concise explanation of how the following goal is a “significant focus” of the proposed course.
Goal Area 3: Natural & Physical Sciences
Explore scientific knowledge of the natural world. Understand the central concepts and principles of
science; experience the process of scientific inquiry; comprehend science as a human endeavor and
understand the impact of science on individuals and on society.
The study of human heredity and diseases associated with human heredity is one of obvious
interest to all humans, impacts health care, and is a true experimental science as opposed to
observational science. Science is cause and effect, tested by experimentation and verified by
repetition.
14. In order for a course to be designated as fulfilling Goal Area 3, it must address at least 5 of the 6 student learning
outcomes (SLOs) below. Check the SLOs below that are focused on in the proposed general education course.
1. Demonstrate knowledge of concepts, principles, and theories in the physical or natural sciences.
2. Make observations and collect data, design and carry out experiments or other types of scientific investigations.
3. Formulate research questions and testable hypotheses, analyze and interpret data, draw inferences and
conclusions, and identify further questions for investigation.
4. Demonstrate awareness of the interdependent relationships of basic science, applied science, mathematics, and
technology.
5. Recognize the human nature of the scientific enterprise, including the importance of curiosity, creativity, and
imagination; the dual nature of scientific knowledge as changeable and durable; and the impact of a scientist's
personal identity on the scientific process.
6. Evaluate societal issues from a science perspective, question the evidence presented, and make informed
judgments about these issues.
15.
Discuss how each Student Learning Outcome checked above is achieved in this course. (Note: Although
descriptions of typical assignments or types of assignments may be part of this discussion, it is not
appropriate to submit copies of actual assignments.)
SLO1 and 4 above: The study of human heredity necessarily begins with the study of human biology.
Thus, the cellular and molecular makeup of a human being is the beginning of the course. Humans are
both physical beings that are described and studied with the scientific method. Thus, the molecular
nature of DNA, RNA, and protein are modeled in the Central Dogma of Molecular Biology. Students
are evaluated on their knowledge and understanding of the vocabulary of Molecular Biology, Cell
Biology, and Genetics. Mastery of this content area is indicative of students understanding of physical
science and the relationship of basic and applied science, mathematics (genetics is inherently
probability) and the enormous power of technology in Genetics and Heredity.
12/11/2009
Student Learning Outcome Explanation Continued
SLO2 and 3 above: Science is defined by cause and effect. Cause and effect relationships are
determined by experimentation. In human heredity cause and effect are understood in patterns of
inheritance. Patterns of inheritance are a de facto cause and effect relationship. Students will explore
the cause and effect relationships in heredity in virtual lab experiences that are a scientific investigation.
Students will formulate a hypothesis about the role(s) of genes in an organism, then perform a virtual
experiment on their computers that have results requiring quantitative analysis. Quantitative analysis
requires students to analyze and interpret (using basic statistics) the raw data from the resulting
inheritance pattern, and make a conclusion about the particular pattern of inheritance that best explains
the results. Explanation of results then leads students to new questions.
SLO5 and 6 above: This is nothing more human than human inheritance. No one who studies human
inheritance, human genetics, and human birth defects can ignore the very personalized nature of the
scientific method applied to themselves. Thus, students will exhibit enhance curiosity about the study
of human inheritance, and often want results to satisfy personal expectations. “Wanting” is not science,
and as such, students realize that while human inheritance is an impartial science, the person studying
inheritance is biased. Furthermore, the finding of experimental human inheritance combined with
modern DNA sequencing technology is radically altering human society through medicine. Any student
completing this class will have encountered new medical treatments (gene therapy and personalized
genomic medicine) that are NOT on the horizon, they are here.
16.
Courses satisfying Goal Area 3: Natural & Physical Sciences must have either a “traditional lab course or a lab-like
experience”. Check which of these apply and supply a brief explanation of how the course is either a laboratory
course or incorporates a “lab-like experience”.
Course includes:
Laboratory
Lab-like experience
The following quote from a National Research Council subcommittee report may help to identify a course with a
laboratory. ”Laboratory experiences provide opportunities for students to interact directly with the material world
(or with data drawn from the material world), using the tools, data collection techniques, models, and theories of
science.” America's Lab Report: Investigations in High School Science (Free Executive Summary)
http://www.nap.edu/catalog/11311.html
The laboratory component of BIOL104 consists of exercises drawn on data collected from the material
world (real genes, the traits associated with real genes, and the consequences of the pattern of
inheritance of the genes), but completed in an “online” environment. These experiences are contained
in a Virtual Biology Laboratory Online (http://biologylab.awlonline.com/) suite that is provided by a
publisher. Students must complete a set of exercises on inheritance patterns, form and enter
hypotheses, perform experiments to test the hypothesis, process the data, and accept or reject the
hypothesis. In addition, students complete case studies requiring the collection of data about their own
families inheritance patterns. Each of these activities meets the definition of laboratory activities as
described above.
12/11/2009
17.
List or attach the Course Outline (adequately described and including percentage of time to be allocated
to each topic). Curriculum Committees may request additional information. Topics larger than 20% need
to be broken down further. Indicate in your course outline where the Student Learning Outcomes
checked above are being met.
Percentages in Bold Total to 100%
I.
Introduction (10%)
a. Overview of Genetics (2%)
b. Cells (4%)
c. Meiosis and Development (4%)
II. Transmission Genetics (30%)
a. Single Gene Inheritance (10%)
i. Virtual Lab One – Basic Inheritance and Probability
b. Beyond Single Gene Inheritance (10%)
i. Virtual Lab Two – Advanced Inheritance Patterns (Sex)
c. Multifactorial Traits (5%)
d. Genetics of Behavior (5%)
III. DNA and Chromosomes (30%)
a. DNA structure and replication (10%)
b. Gene Action: From Protein to DNA (10%)
i. Virtual Lab Three – How Genes Work
c. Gene and Chromosome Mutation (10%)
IV. Genetic Technology (30%)
a. Amplifying, Modifying, and Monitoring DNA (9%)
i. Virtual Lab Four – Forensic DNA
b. Genetic Testing (8%)
i. Virtual Lab Five – Diagnostic DNA
c. Genetic Treatment (7%)
i. Virtual Lab Six – Therapeutic DNA
d. Genomics (6%)
i. Personal DNA medicine
12/11/2009
St. Cloud State University
General Education Transmittal Form
Academic Affairs Use Only:
Response Date:
Effective Date:
Proposal Number
Department:
Course or Course(s):
Department or Unit Chair Signature
Date
Department forward to Academic Affairs for publication and electronically to Chair of General Education Committee, Chair
of College Curriculum Committee, College Dean
Recommendation of General Education Committee:
Approve
Remarks:
Disapprove
Chairperson
Committee
Signature
Date
Recommendation of University Curriculum Committee:
Approve
Remarks:
Disapprove
Chairperson
Committee
Signature
Date
Recommendation of Faculty Association:
Approve
Remarks:
Disapprove
FA Senate
Signature
Date
Action of Academic Vice President:
Approve
Disapprove
Signature
Entered in Curriculum Data File
12/11/2009
Remarks:
Date